Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) has developed a polycarbonate film that can be shaped three-dimensionally. “Makrofol” TP 278 has a scratchproof coating and is claimed to produce 3D component surfaces with a deep gloss finish and high abrasion resistance for applications in car interiors, household appliances and IT equipment, for example.

The material owes its forming properties to a “DualCure” pre-cured coating that can be formed together with the film and cured using conventional UV lamps. This allows the film to be used for producing narrow radii and a high depth of draw. Films can be cold formed using high pressure forming (HPF) and also thermoformed. A separate coating line is not required and the plastic films, which already have a scratchproof coating, can be back-printed, formed, trimmed and, if required, back-injected with a thermoplastic using film insert moulding (FIM).

BMS said other types will be added to the product family in close cooperation with customers, adding that there are plans to develop formable scratch-resistant films for car interiors that produce a matte finish. Another target is to produce UV-stable hard coat films for large add-on bodywork parts.